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Dodonaea viscosa (Florida hopbush)
Cressler, Alan

Dodonaea viscosa

Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq.

Florida Hopbush, Hopseed Bush, Switch Sorrel, Varnish Leaf, Hopbush, Chapoliztle, Casol

Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family)

Synonym(s): Dodonaea ehrenbergii, Dodonaea elaeagnoides, Dodonaea eriocarpa, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. amphioxea, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. confertior, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. costulata, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. degeneri, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. forbesii, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. glabrescens, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. hillebrandii, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. hosakana, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. lanaiensis, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. molokaiensis, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. oblonga, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. obtusior, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. pallida, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. sherffii, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. skottsbergii, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. vaccinioides, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. varians, Dodonaea eriocarpa var. waimeana, Dodonaea jamaicensis, Dodonaea microcarya, Dodonaea sandwicensis, Dodonaea sandwicensis var. latifolia, Dodonaea sandwicensis var. simulans, Dodonaea spathulata, Dodonaea stenoptera, Dodonaea stenoptera var. fauriei, Dodonaea thunbergiana, Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia, Dodonaea viscosa var. arborescens, Dodonaea viscosa var. linearis, Dodonaea viscosa var. spathulata, Ptelea viscosa

USDA Symbol: DOVI

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), HI (I), PR (N), VI (N)

A tropical shrub or small tree, of variable shape and form, usually growing to 12 ft. high. Attractive three-winged fruits, splashed with red or purple, are preceded by axillary clusters of small, pale-yellow to reddish flowers. Lance-shaped, evergreen leaves are 2 1/2-5 in. long and shiny.

 

From the Image Gallery

4 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 12 feet tall.
Leaf: Red
Fruit: Winged capsule.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: May flower year-round under the right conditions.

Distribution

USA: AZ , FL , HI
Native Distribution: S. AZ; s. FL
Native Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes & canyons; grassy savannas; coastal hammocks

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Rocky soils, often on limestone.
Conditions Comments: Very tolerant of salt spray and withstands strong winds.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: UPL FACU UPL FACU UPL
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 57 - Atlas of Florida Plants (2020) Institute for Systematic Botany
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Dodonaea viscosa in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Dodonaea viscosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Dodonaea viscosa

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-16
Research By: TWC Staff

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